Backfield Breakdowns: Week 2

Weekly, we look at splitting backfields into key categories based upon snaps and opportunities (rushes plus targets). While carries may be similar, backfields that fall into a Committee with a Lead over a straight Committee saw wide disparities in snap counts. In a similar manner, backs who dominated touches but split snaps can drop a category.

This feature debuted early in the 2023 season. At that time, there were 11 backfields classified as Bellcows. Now, there are 18. 

What is happening?

It's not just a case of talent, such as Ashton Jeanty, hitting the league. Late draft picks like Chase Brown, Chuba Hubbard, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. have followed Kyren Williams' footsteps in securing these roles. Javonte Williams served as Dallas' Bellcow in his first game. 

Some thoughts:

• Coaches have stressed the importance of keeping base personnel. This works hand in hand with the emergence of more two-tight end sets across the league. Keeping base personnel while having the ability to present multiple looks serves to trap defenses between nickel or three linebacker packages. By not substituting, offenses can trap an unfavorable defensive personnel package. 

• Wear and tear is different. The days of Ted Washington and Gilbert Brown in the middle of defenses have disappeared, as have 250-pound "thumper" run-defending linebackers like Brandon Spikes. A "Jacked Up" segment from 2005 is a marked contrast to what we see on Sundays now. Teams have shifted from striking tackling to emphasize wrapping and a rugby-style approach. While Sundays are still full of lightly protected human car crashes, there seems to be an increased awareness of player safety. 

• As part of the different wear, teams have figured out how to lighten the load on running backs. RPOs with quarterback keepers. Screen plays and pop passes that serve as run game extensions. More slot receivers with running back backgrounds have hit the league, shifting the role of the "satellite" back. 

• It's a copycat league. Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan are the gold standard for offensive coaching. Many of the coaches around the league have roots in their system. Shanahan made a significant flip in his system by acquiring Christian McCaffrey. McVay has acknowledged the value in keeping Kyren Williams on the field. 

• Fantasy has not adjusted. 2022 was a low-water mark for running backs. Austin Ekeler's 18.8 half-PPR RB1 finish is one of the lowest RB1 finishes in history. The Top 12 RB finish threshold was 12.9, and the Top 12 averaged 15.6. In 2024, three backs beat Ekeler's mark, and 19 backs beat the 12.9 threshold. The average Top 12 RB was 17.2 points. 

• Zero-RB drafts are still very trendy. This is problematic on two fronts. First, if fewer backfields are committees, there are fewer "flex" caliber backs to get a ZeroRB team through the weeks that a high-value handcuff does not emerge. Second, if running backs are staying healthy, the assembly line of replacement production shrinks. 

• This should be the primary storyline to watch for 2025. If this season mirrors the 2024 season, drafts should shift hard back towards exhausting the Bellcow running back options at the top of draft boards. Dynasty managers have traditionally built around WRs and waited on running back production, but those managers may want to consider aggressively adding cheaper Bellcow options.

Bellcow Backfields

• From a rushing standpoint, the summer story about the Falcons having 1A and 1B backs was true. But Robinson dramatically out-snapped Allgeier and was the Falcons' top weapon in the pass game on the day. With Drake London monitoring a shoulder injury, Robinson should continue to maintain a valuable passing role.

• There was preseason talk of the Panthers lessening the load on Hubbard. In a game they trailed by multiple scores most of the day, they gave little indication that it would be a reality. They are not presently constructed to play from behind, needing the threat of the run to balance Bryce Young's physical limits. 

• Brown has complete control of the Bengals' backfield, with Perine taking nominal snaps in pass protection opportunities. The Bengals' offense was out of sync the entire game, with Myles Garrett dominating any protection attempts. While Brown's grasp of the backfield is encouraging, increased passing game usage never manifested.

• The Cowboys leaned on Williams, with Jaydon Blue a healthy inactive. It was a surprising outcome considering the Cowboys spent most of the game playing from behind. Even with a two-touchdown performance, Williams looks like one of the better buys in fantasy at the moment. 

• There is little to see in Green Bay; it is Josh Jacobs' backfield. Wilson subs as an early down player while Brooks has been getting passing down reps all throughout camp. The most significant question will be the nature of the offensive environment. The Packers dominated a very good division rival. The defense was already good before adding Parsons; games like this will lean on the run game. It is likely a habit. 

• Taylor sat for chunks of the second half in a game that was not in doubt. Coach Shane Steichen mentioned a neck injury, and Taylor's status will need monitoring. Giddens stepping in as the primary back is encouraging for the rookie. Tyler Goodson was inactive for the game following limited practice. If Taylor did sit, Giddens would get the first crack, but a healthy Goodson would likely take some passing downs. 

• The Jaguars granted clarity by trading Tank Bigsby to the Eagles on Monday night. This is Travis Etienne Jr.'s backfield, and Etienne can be a league-shifting value. The rookies will back him up. Given skillsets, Allen would likely handle the passing down side of a committee and should see some reps there, while Tuten should be the primary early down backup. Tuten had a hype train and a high ADP, but Allen is likely free even in deep leagues. He should be a priority add in Dynasty formats. 

• Jeanty is the Raiders' clear Bellcow. A healthy scratch for Raheem Mostert tipped the wider community to a news item that those following camp were on, that Zamir White had emerged as the primary backup. The Raiders' game script was heavier on the pass than expected. Continuing that trend will allow Jeanty to see all the work he can handle.  

• The Chargers' reveal showed a team willing to lean on Justin Herbert and a talented receiving core. This attack allowed Hampton to serve as the Bellcow in his first game. The team is easing Harris back after he missed most of the preseason, but if they are going to lean on the pass, there's little reason to make this backfield a full committee unless Hampton struggles. 

• Fool us once. Despite talk of Williams sharing touches for the second straight year, he was above 80% snap share. Rookie Jarquez Hunter was a healthy scratch, with Cody Schrader a special teams contributor. Corum is the backup you want, though Hunter would play if Williams were out. 

• The Dolphins debuted the same broken offense that made Achane a league-shifting player in 2024. He dominated snaps and touches. His pass game volume was disappointing given his ADP, and a late touchdown saved his fantasy day. We should expect better days in the pass game. Gordon was a buzzy riser in draft season, but the Dolphins do not look capable of creating favorable run game situations.

• Kamara was in a feature back role, much like Kellen Moore stated. There were reports that Miller had distanced himself as the second back, but playing time in Week 1 suggested there is not much clarity between him and the rookie Neal.

• Skattebo made the highlight play by hitting the truck stick on a Washington defender, but he was the third back in the rotation. Tracy hit a 74% target share and nearly 70% opportunity for a Giants offense that had little working. That tracks with camp stories. Switching to rookie QB Jaxson Dart could further shift the backup job to the veteran Singletary.

• The Jets did not lie; all three backs played. But Hall was the feature runner in opportunities and snaps for much of the day. It looks like Allen and Davis will see intentional usage, with Allen in short-yardage situations and Davis in clear passing downs. Given Justin Fields' clipping off rushes as well, this is the best-case scenario outcome for Hall, and managers who did not cave to the negative conversations around him should feel great.

• Little changed from the Eagles' Super Bowl-winning formula: run the ball with Barkley and Jalen Hurts. Hurts exceeded 30 pass attempts in Weeks 1-4 in 2024. He topped 28 attempts just once the rest of the year, with 25 or fewer attempts in eight of the ten games.  Week 1 attempts: 23. The team added Tank Bigsby on Monday night, stating it was for his kick return ability. One of Shipley and Dillon will be a game-day scratch with that move.  

• In a twist of irony, McCaffrey may be the only 49ers skill starter not injured. They leaned on him as heavily as ever, extending his NFL record for most 9+ reception games as a running back to 17.

• Unsurprisingly, given 2024 usage, Pollard is the clear lead back in Tennessee. The Broncos were a tough matchup, and managers who played Pollard should be thrilled with 89 scrimmage yards. Increased passing involvement would be ideal, but better matchups await.

• Bellcow usage is a massive win for the Bucky Believers. We will need to monitor whether a continued return to health for White, following a preseason injury, will eat into that workshare. Irving saved his day with a touchdown, though the overall efficiency was lacking. We have seen highly efficient backs like Achane and Pollard nose-dive in efficiency metrics when they transition to a lead back role. But through Week 1, the first question on Irving gets a passing grade.  

Committees with a Lead Back

• Benson edged out Emari Demercado for the third-down role. Conner will lead in value, but Benson's earning trust on passing downs is huge for his long-term outlook, opening the potential for a three-down role if opportunity arises. 

• The Ravens kept their usual near-even snap share between Henry and Hill, and Henry dominated touches like usual. The Ravens were leading most of the game, a script that lands hard on Henry. Hill had four games with 6+ targets in 2024; three of those were losses. 

• Cook still shared the Bills' backfield, but he dominated touches; his 48 snaps were the most of his Bills career, and his 56.5% snap share was only topped twice in 2024. There are small indications that the team is leaning a bit heavier on Cook, given the financial investment. 

• Ford played more snaps than Sampson, but the touches were not close. Sampson's heavy involvement early should be a positive for his near-term outlook. However, an argument could be made that the team trusts Ford in pass-blocking situations, and the imminent arrival of Quinshon Judkins will replace Sampson. The likely scenario is all three backs playing. 

• Dobbins dominated rushes and snaps in closing out a game that the Broncos led most of the way through. The most significant development is Badie's usage. Dobbins or Harvey as the passing back role was an offseason argument. I do not think anyone picked "neither" as the winner. Badie's six targets pose a challenge for both Dobbins and Harvey in meeting preseason expectations. 

• The Lions' backfield was as even as you could get in 2023 and 2024. There were whispers that a shift towards Gibbs would happen with John Morton as offensive coordinator. This outcome supports those whispers, though the Lions were not competitive, and the game script may be an excuse. 

• When you have four running backs, you do not have one. Chubb is the only fantasy option in Houston, though his lack of pass game usage has been a career-long limiter, and he now lacks the home run ability that made up for the passing shortcomings. Marks is the significant takeaway. He failed to generate any preseason buzz and is the clear fourth option with Ogunbowale as the passing complement. 

True Committee Backfields

• Pacheco was slightly ahead in snaps, but the touches broke down dead even. Rookie Brashard Smith took some snaps as well, but did not register a touch. The Chiefs' offense was out of sorts all night following the early exit of Xavier Worthy. 

• Stevenson dominated snaps, 65% to 35%, but Henderson edged him on opportunity. The Patriots faced a trailing script, potentially leading to Henderson's usage. We all want to see the rookie grab control here, but the coaching staff is on the traditional side, and Stevenson is a "do it the right way" player. Six targets should be encouraging. 

• Kaleb Johnson is the biggest negative story of the week. Camp reports leaned this direction, but the most significant concern is that no part of the Steelers looks like the physical, run-first team many expected. In a pass-heavy attack built around Aaron Rodgers, it's easy to see why Warren and Gainwell would be the lead backs. In shallow leagues, Johnson is droppable. 

• Walker was the lead back to start, but it quickly flipped to Charbonnet. Walker's preseason injury or the physical nature of the game could be factors, but it is difficult to feel comfortable starting either back until we get more clarity. 

• The "Bill" Hive can take their victory laps. Ekeler held the snap share edge in a split backfield, but the commanding nature of the win gave Croskey-Merritt ample rushing opportunity. Anything negative here would be picking nits; managers who drafted Croskey-Merritt late should be pumped, and anyone who bought at his ADP following a meteoric rise should be relieved. 

Follow @4whomjbelltolls Follow @Footballguys